It is now December and we are coming to the end of our first month in Prague (but not the end of the posts). After we arrived Prague received its first light covering of snow with the promise of more to follow! Since we live in Greece, on an island, where snow is unheard of, this was such a treat! I was reared as a child in Washington State, USA and Michael in Portland, Oregon. Both of us remember the snowfalls of our childhood, so the snow in Prague was a delightful and welcome Christmas Gift! However, I understand it was not the feelings of most Czechs, as it was the worst winter in 40 years! We were as innocent of that as babes!
Since it is the end of the year, I thought I would show a few pictures taken at random during the month of December.
When Michael and I first got to Prague we went to the Prague Transportation Department where we filled out a form to get a Senior Discount Pass for 3 months – which comes out much less than having to spend money for each trip. This pass is good for buses, trams and the Metro (subway). We even found it good on the funicular from Mala Strana to the top of Petrin Hill!
One of the things we had to do was get photos of ourselves. We were told one of these foto booths (above) which could be found around the city would suffice. We had to giggle because the last time either of us had used them was when we were teenagers and took goofy pictures of ourselves with our friends! Notice how rigid Michael is this time! He even had his glasses off! And I had to make sure my hair looked just right! We found this booth in the Mustek Metro Station.
I mentioned in previous posts, that the Christmas markets had wonderful outside booths, many with mulled wine, hot sausage stands, etc. This particular barbecue stand, outside a little restaurant, was in the Namesti Republiky (Republic Square). I don’t know why we didn’t eat any, probably we were in a hurry to go elsewhere. It makes my mouth water just too look at it now!
I found myself taking lots of pictures of buildings. Nothing seemed ordinary to me. The white seemed as delicate as icing on a wedding cake. Prague has an enormous variety of styles: Romanesque, Baroque, Renaissance, even Cubism to the heaviness of the communist era. It is said Prague was practically untouched during WW ll so it is a wonderful place to study architecture. 
Over a doorway. . .
This looks like it should have been in one of the Harry Potter movies!
This particular painting over a doorway really intrigued me and I tried in every way I knew how to find out something about it. Also to know the significance of the arm holding the ball. I could not find any information about it. (If anyone knows, please tell me!) It was on a little side street, of which I am not sure now where, but think it was near Bethlehem Square.
We often walked miles, taking loads of pictures when suddenly one of us would call for time out and a coffee break! They always were a treat and really perked us up! Amazingly, I didn’t gain weight from all these beautiful desserts. . .but I practically wore out a pair of shoes!
And so ends December. And to think we have January and February ahead of us! We feel so lucky!
Hi again Karin,
The comments that I heard & read at the time, seemed to indicate that the snow in Prague during last winter was the worst for 17 years. It was certainly far worse in the winter of 2009/2010 than in our first winter here, 2008/2009.
Public transport in Prague is both wonderfully efficient & cheap. Once you are over 60, it gets even cheaper as both discovered. My sister Jenny, who is four years older than me, and our recent locum Chaplain Kathy, availed themselves of an over 60s pass. Not only does it make public transport cheaper, your little over 60s ID card gives you virtually free admission to Prague Zoo, Troja Chateau & various other places.
As I’ve commented in agreeing with what you’ve written previously, the architecture of most buildings in Prague is quite astonishing. You’ve posted a photo of a carved female head over a doorway. What always amazes me are the carved figures of both males & females, which support the doorways, balconies and archways of many buildings. The female figures in particular, tend to leave nothing to the imagination!
With regard to the ‘painting’ over the doorway, I think it is a picture of the flight into Egypt by the Holy Family (Matthew 2 v13-15). There is a pyramid in the background!
Hi Ricky,
Wonder where I got the 40 years bit about the snow? From a reporter taking “literary license” in journalism perhaps? Or plain poor on my part for not taking the time to make sure of facts. Thanks for the correction.
Your comment about the figures supporting doorways – I also noticed them and felt “squashed” by the weight they seem to be holding. I told my husband that maybe they were having a “purgatory” experience for their sins in the past! Some looked to be in pain with the weight….and it pained me to look at them!
Yes, I did know that the painting over the doorway was The Flight into Egypt, but what I was wondering was WHY it was over that particular door? Or WHO lived there? It looked to be so old and faded. I am still doing research on the arm and ball and getting no where.
Your comments are always welcome, Ricky
Good stuff, thanks for posting. I was actually looking for something else and this site came up lol. Oh well, 2 minutes of my life gone! Totally worth it though!